ArmInfo.The key task for Armenia is to achieve a ratio of exports of products and services to GDP of 50%, where finished products should of course prevail. Ashot Tavadyan, the head of the Center for Economic Research, stated about this input of the conference "Armenia-Russia Strategic Union: realities and modern challenges".
According to him, in 2017. exports for the first time exceeded $ 2 billion, amounting to $ 2.2 billion. "In 2010, exports increased by 25%, while in the first quarter of 2018, Armenia's exports amounted to $ 596 million, which is 34.3% more than the same indicator in the first quarter of 2017. Exports to the EAEU countries grew by 47.6% .With the membership in the EAGE in Armenia for two years, exports have grown by about 50%, which is the most important factor for the growth of the country's competitiveness after Armenia's accession to the EAEU.Therefore, the diversification of exports is also a priority, it is necessary to use all the capabilities of the EAEU to overcome $ 5 billion export (71.4%), timber products (50.5%), textiles and textile products (35%), finished products (27%), cotton and fiber products ", the expert noted.
According to him, in 2017, exports to Russia, which is a key partner in the EAEU, grew by 44.6%. "There has been a significant growth in exports, especially exports of finished products, and exports to Russia are growing at a faster pace.The key role in the growth of exports is played by its structure.The main prospect for the growth in exports of finished goods, which has a high percentage of added value, is Russia. growth of exports to other countries of the EAEU.In the European Union, Armenia mainly exports raw materials, "Tavadyan stressed.
According to the expert, an increase in the level of the country's competitiveness was facilitated by the signing of an agreement with the Unified Energy System on the lifting of customs duties; simplification of all procedures - from registration and obtaining of export licenses to customs clearance; stabilization of the Russian ruble exchange rate for 2016-2017. The ruble appreciated by 22.5%, so the currency earnings of exporters to Russia increased accordingly; reduction of gas prices. "Armenia receives gas at $ 150 per 1000m3, despite the fact that the price for gas in the region of 180-190 dollars Given the fact that Armenia consumes about 2 billion of gas per year (in 2017 -.. 1.996 billion m3, height 7. %), the effect is $ 70 million In signing the Treaty on the EAEU the price of gas was about $ 400 per 1000m3 and Armenia the price dropped from 270 to 189 dollars, "-. he explained, stressing that Russia takes the first place in terms of investment in the EAEU countries. According to him, direct investments from Russia make up about 40% of all investments in the Armenian economy. "It should, however, recognize that in part because of the sanctions, and fluctuations in the prices of energy resources a significant increase in the rate of growth of mutual investments between the Member States EAEU has not happened yet. The factor of mutual investments is extremely important for cooperation economies EAEU countries, which is one of objectives of the Treaty on the EAEU, "the expert noted.
At the same time, Tavadyan stressed that exports to the EU also increased, which is primarily due to a significant increase in prices for non-ferrous metals. "The export of non-ferrous metals, aluminum sheets, ferroalloys is the absolute majority of our exports to the EU, the price of copper increased from 4400 to 7000 dollars per tonne in 2016-2017, while the extraction of metallurgical ores in 2008 increased by 13.2%. of copper concentrate rose by 32% According to the experts of the EU on the GSP + system, Armenia saved $ 8.7 million, while exporting to the EAEU, in the first place, taking into account preferential prices for energy resources, exporters saved about $ 70 million, "he said.
He also noted with satisfaction the fact that the attendance of Armenia for 2017 increased by 24%, and tourism - by 18.7%. "1.5 million tourists visited Armenia in 2017. The significant growth of tourists is actually the result of membership in the EAEU, while in 2017 the inflow of remittances to Armenia amounted to $ 1.756 million, an increase of 14.6% .In general, Armenia receives transfers from Russia - 63%. Transfers from the United States amounted to 14%, from Ukraine - 5.5% .The direction of labor migration has traditionally been Russia, "Tavadyan said.
He also stressed that the EAEU has created additional opportunities for obtaining concessional loans. "First of all, to strengthen the defense capacity of the Republic of Armenia, unlike a number of loans from international organizations from Russia, strictly targeted loans have been received, two concessional loans of $ 300 million are directly aimed at strengthening the defense capacity of our country a target loan of 270 million and 30 million dollars as a grant, which is necessary for the modernization and extension of the life of the nuclear power plant, "the expert said.
According to him, the macroeconomic indicators that were achieved in Armenia in 2017 were basically provided due to the conditions that the EAEU formed. "From lifting customs duties, simplifying procedures to stabilizing the exchange rate of the Russian ruble and lowering gas prices for Armenia." It should be noted that the monetary and fiscal policy of Armenia is extremely important, and without the development of an antitrust and anti-corruption specific program, the real development of the economy and make full use of the opportunities of the integration processes of the EAEU, "he concluded. Conference was organized by the research and analytical public organization "Integration and Development" and the Eurasian Expert Club.
